Instruments’ sales in Mumbai rock on
From Steinway pianos to Hofner violins, music fans can find the best western classical instruments in the city now
When Mumbai-based management consultant Khushroo who plays rock and the blues wanted a guitar, he wanted one with great sound. He had bought several Indian makes but wasn't happy with the sound.
Recently, Khusroo put down Rs2 lakh for a Taylor acoustic guitar, an American make.
He did not have to travel abroad to make his acquisition—Khushroo bought his guitar in Mumbai where "the range available over the last two years is amazing".
From Steinway pianos to Yamaha keyboards and Hofner violins, a variety of the best names in western music instruments are now available in Mumbai. It reflects the growing interest in western music, especially of the classical variety.
Last March, the Kala Academy in Goa took delivery of a Steinway Concert Grand piano, the world's finest. The 2.74-metre, handcrafted piano cost Rs80 lakhs and was sold through the best known and oldest music shop in Mumbai, Furtados. It has been installed in a separate enclosure at Kala Academy and will be used for professional concerts. Top-end violins cost over a lakh and a Yamaha make tenor saxophone will set you back by Rs84,000. Also available are a variety of keyboards that cost Rs 60,000. With import duties at 35 per cent, sales are strumming along, says Kishore Das of Chennai-based Musee Musical.
As far as pianos go, the Furtados estimate that they sell over 100 pianos a year while Braganza & Co in Kolkata say they sold about 40 pianos including a Grand Steinway piano. Sales in India are, however, are nowhere like in China, one of the fastest growing markets for music instruments. Plus, sellers feel costs could be reduced further.
"While import duties have fallen, musical instruments are still quite costly thanks to higher freight charges," says Anthony L Gomes, of Furtados, one of India's oldest music stores.
Source : DNA India
From Steinway pianos to Hofner violins, music fans can find the best western classical instruments in the city now
When Mumbai-based management consultant Khushroo who plays rock and the blues wanted a guitar, he wanted one with great sound. He had bought several Indian makes but wasn't happy with the sound.
Recently, Khusroo put down Rs2 lakh for a Taylor acoustic guitar, an American make.
He did not have to travel abroad to make his acquisition—Khushroo bought his guitar in Mumbai where "the range available over the last two years is amazing".
From Steinway pianos to Yamaha keyboards and Hofner violins, a variety of the best names in western music instruments are now available in Mumbai. It reflects the growing interest in western music, especially of the classical variety.
Last March, the Kala Academy in Goa took delivery of a Steinway Concert Grand piano, the world's finest. The 2.74-metre, handcrafted piano cost Rs80 lakhs and was sold through the best known and oldest music shop in Mumbai, Furtados. It has been installed in a separate enclosure at Kala Academy and will be used for professional concerts. Top-end violins cost over a lakh and a Yamaha make tenor saxophone will set you back by Rs84,000. Also available are a variety of keyboards that cost Rs 60,000. With import duties at 35 per cent, sales are strumming along, says Kishore Das of Chennai-based Musee Musical.
As far as pianos go, the Furtados estimate that they sell over 100 pianos a year while Braganza & Co in Kolkata say they sold about 40 pianos including a Grand Steinway piano. Sales in India are, however, are nowhere like in China, one of the fastest growing markets for music instruments. Plus, sellers feel costs could be reduced further.
"While import duties have fallen, musical instruments are still quite costly thanks to higher freight charges," says Anthony L Gomes, of Furtados, one of India's oldest music stores.
Source : DNA India